Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Irresolutions on a Theme of La Rochefoucauld" by John Ashbery is a complex and evocative poem that weaves together diverse images and ideas, reflecting on the human condition, our perceptions of the world, and the nature of experience. The poem's title, referencing La Rochefoucauld, a 17th-century French moralist known for his maxims on human nature, sets the stage for a meditation on the themes of perception, reality, and the human psyche.

The poem opens with a quote from La Rochefoucauld: "we are all strong enough to bear the misfortunes of others." This statement sets a tone of ironic detachment, suggesting a critique of human empathy and the ways in which we engage with the suffering of others. The poem then moves through a series of vivid, often surreal images, creating a dreamlike and sometimes disorienting narrative.

Ashbery employs a collage-like approach, juxtaposing seemingly unrelated elements to create a tapestry of meaning. The poem's imagery ranges from the pastoral ("shadows of apple stems") to the fantastical ("an elf / sits on a golf tee"), each contributing to the poem's exploration of perception and reality.

Throughout the poem, there is a sense of motion and change, as if the speaker is journeying through different landscapes and states of mind. This journey is marked by moments of insight and confusion, reflecting the poem's interest in the elusive nature of understanding and knowledge.

The poem's structure, with its shifts in tone and perspective, mirrors the complexities of human thought and emotion. Ashbery's language is both precise and ambiguous, inviting multiple interpretations and encouraging the reader to engage actively with the text.

In the final lines, the poem takes a turn towards the personal and intimate, as the speaker reflects on a relationship and the desire to cherish another person. This shift in focus suggests a movement from the abstract to the concrete, from the philosophical to the emotional, underscoring the poem's exploration of the human experience in all its complexity.

"Irresolutions on a Theme of La Rochefoucauld" is a rich and challenging poem that rewards careful reading and contemplation. Its blend of imagery, philosophical reflection, and emotional depth makes it a compelling example of Ashbery's poetic style and thematic concerns.

POEM TEXT: https://www.google.com/books/edition/Hotel_Lautr%C3%A9amont/aSl5BAAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=%22We+leave+out+old+regrets%22+ASHBERY&pg=PT101&printsec=frontcover

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